San Juan Capistrano in Orange County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Franciscan Plaza

City of San Juan Capistrano Historic Depiction Program

Photographed by Adam Margolis, August 13, 2013

1. Franciscan Plaza Marker

Inscription. The Franciscan Plaza, built in 1990, occupies a site with a long and colorful history. Beginning in the early 1800's, adobe brick homes housing notable community founders were built on these site, facing a public plaza that extended south from Mission San Juan Capistrano. Portions of the original adobes remain to the south of this plaque. The Avila Adobe was restored to its 1880's appearance, and the adjacent Vanenzula Adobe was reconstructed with the development of the Franciscan Plaza. Many other noteworthy structures have occupied this site over the last 200 years, including the Pryor Adobe, a blacksmith shop, a grocery store, a Blue Goose citrus packing house, and a popular "rebote" (handball) court. The site was also the scene of several technological "firsts" in San Juan Capistrano, including the town's first telephone switchboard and the first electrical generator.

The Woodmen's Hall (pictures), originally built east of the Mission as a church, was moved to this site in the early 1900's and relocated to the rear of the site in 1919. It served the town's social needs as a community recreation, dance and meeting

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hall, and the first movie house. Although the Woodmen's Hall no longer stands on the site, its history and the presence of nearby rehabilitated adobe building serve as continued reminders of how the community's varied heritage has evolved over time.

Erected by City of San Juan Capistrano Historic Depiction Program.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1990.

Location. 33° 30.077′ N, 117° 39.778′ W. Marker is in San Juan Capistrano, California, in Orange County. It is on Verdugo Street east of Camino Capistrano, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 26762 Verdugo Street, San Juan Capistrano CA 92675, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles

and in the Peninsular Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Photographed by Adam Margolis, August 13, 2013

2. Franciscan Plaza Marker

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Site of the Valenzuela Adobe (a few steps from this marker); Nick's Café (within shouting distance of this marker); Avila Adobe (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Capistrano Depot (about 300 feet away); San Juan Capistrano Mission (about 300 feet away); Mission San Juan Capistrano (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named The Capistrano Depot (about 300 feet away); Manuel Garcia Adobe (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Juan Capistrano.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Mission San Juan Capistrano (was about 300 feet away but has been confirmed missing).

Credits. This page was last revised on January 5, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 21, 2021, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. This page has been viewed 1,197 times since then and 97 times this year. Last updated on January 4, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. Photos: 1. submitted on January 4, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 2. submitted on December 21, 2021, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.